Rotary support for radiation treatment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A neutron radiation treatment apparatus having a high voltage generator, a neutron generator and a collimator. The neutron generator is supplied with power from the high voltage generator. The collimator forms a beam of useful rays suitable for radiation treatment. The high voltage generator, the neutron generator and the collimator are rigidly connected together and are fastened to a rotatably mounted support plate. The high voltage generator and the neutron generator are disposed on one side of the support plate. The collimator is disposed on the other side of the support plate.

United States Patent [191 Offermann et al.

[ ROTARY SUPPORT FOR RADIATION TREATMENT APPARATUS Inventors: BerndPeter Offermann; Rolf Barthel, both of Hamburg, Germany LicentiaPatent-Verwaltungs GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Filed: Nov. 2, 1971Appl. No.: 194,987'

[73] Assignee:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 5, 1970 Germany 2054386 us.Cl 2591 455 Int. Cl G2lg 3/04 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,345,515 10/1967 Adachi ..250/84.5

Field of Search 250/6l.5, 84, 84.5, 91,

[45] Mar. 12, 19m

3,141,972 7/1964 Oller 250/91 X 2,818,510 12/1957 Verse 250/91 3,588,5096/1971 Yanagishita et a1. 250/84.5 2,781,454 2/1957 Green et al. 250/91Primary Examiner-Archie R. Borchelt Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Spencer &Kaye [5 7 ABSTRACT plate.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures l5 l3 I) iii/l ROTARY SUPPORT FOR RADIATIONTREATMENT APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to a neutron radiation treatment apparatus for stationary fieldand/or pendulum and/or rotational field radiation. The invention moreparticularly relates to a radiation treatment apparatus which includes ahigh voltage generator, a neutron generator supplied by the high voltagegenerator and a collimator which forms a beam of useful rays suited forthe intended purpose. The radiation treatment apparatus is particularlysuitable as a neutron therapy apparatus.

In such a neutron therapy apparatus problems exist particularly when theradiation apparatus is to be used not only for stationary field but alsofor pendulum r rotational field radiation. While in such cases knownX-ray, gamma or electron beam radiation apparatuses operate by rotatinga radiation source about a treatment area with the patient beingstationary, similar neutron therapy apparatuses will not operatesatisfactorily because the cable which is required for supplying aneutron generator with electrical energy and which carries high voltagesis not sufficiently flexible and, in practice, may be onlyslightlystressed by bending or torsion forces. The neutron therapy apparatuscomposed of the neutron generator and the collimator must thus notperform any large movements relative to the high voltage generator.

In order to overcome this difficulty a radiation apparat us for neutrontherapy with stationary field and/or rotational field radiation has beenproposed in which the rotational field radiation is effected by means ofa center portion of a collimator which contains a beam aperture andwhich is pivoted together with a treatment table about a stationaryradiation source. However, this previously proposed radiation apparatusrequires considerable expenditures, is relatively complex and isuncomfortable for a patient because of the necessary movement of thetreatment table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide in a neutron radiation treatment apparatus a neutron sourcewhich may be moved about a patient or the like without subjecting a highvoltage input cable to undesirable stresses.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a neutronradiation treatment apparatus a neutron generator and a high voltagegenerator which may be moved relative to a patient or the like so thatthe neutron generator and high voltage generator remain fixed relativeto each other.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a neutrontherapy apparatus for stationary field as well as rotational fieldradiation in which a treatment table is stationary and a neutron sourceis moved about a patient or the like without subjecting an associatedhigh voltage cable to undesirable stresses.

These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished in aneutron treatment apparatus which includes a high voltage generator, aneutron generator and a collimator. The high voltage generator suppliespower to the neutron generator. The collimator forms a beam of usefulrays suitable for radiation treatment. The high voltage generator, theneutron generator and the collimator are rigidly connected together andare fastened to a rotatably mounted supporting plate. The neutrongenerator and the high voltage generator are fastened to one side of thesupporting plate. The collimator is fastened to the other side of thesupporting plate.

The advantage of the solution of the present invention is that bycombining of a high voltage generator, a neutron generator and acollimator into a rigid unit which can be rotated about a stationarytreatment table there is obtained an extremely compact design withrelatively little space requirement and simultaneously a required highvoltage cable leading from the high voltage generator to the neutrongenerator can be easily attached and moved relative to the treatmenttable without the danger of undesirable mechanical stresses. Thispermits rotational radiation with angles of rotation of n X 360 withoutany difficulty. Since one side of a supporting plate holds the highvoltage generator and the neutron generator and the other side of thesupporting plate holds the approximately equally as heavy collimator,the resulting weight distribution is very favorable so that finally onlyslight moments need be absorbed by the bearings of the rotatably mountedsupporting plate. Compared to the known neutron radiation apparatus thetreatment table in accordance with the present invention can remainstationary during neutron radiation treatment even in the case ofrotational field radiation. I

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a highvoltage generator, a neutron generator and a collimator are arranged ona support plate which is displaceably, radially mounted on thesupporting plate. To hold the displaceably, radially mounted support onthe supporting plate, a columnar guide is provided. It is a preferredfeature of the present invention to provide a spindle which is supportedby the supporting plate and which is parallel to the columnar guide toengage in a threaded bushing at the displaceably, radially mountedsupport. A drive for the spindle may also be provided.

The thus realized radial adjustability of the radiation source resultsin the advantage that even with rotational radiation the distancebetween a patient or the like and the radiation source can be easilyvaried. This also provides for infinite variability of the radiationfield at the locus of radiation for the rotational field radiation sincethe radiation fields which can be produced with different sizes ofaperture inserts available for the collimator in that the radiationdistance can be adapted to the respective location of the nidus in thepatient in an optimum manner.

To compensate moments about the axis of rotation of the supportingplate, the radially mounted support is preferably adapted to holdcounterweights.

A further feature of the present invention is that the collimator isconnected with the neutron generator by means of a connecting tubebrought through an opening in the supporting plate, the length of theconnecting tube being such that no tilting moment can result in thebearing plane of the supporting plate from the weights of thecollimator, the neutron generator and the high voltage generator. Atooth ring is preferably provided at the outer periphery of thesupporting plate to rotate the supporting plate, a pinion drive engagingthereinto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectionalelevational view of a neutron radiation treatment apparatusincorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the neutron radiation apparatusshown in FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, anexemplary embodiment of a neutron radiation treatment apparatusincorporating the present invention includes a collimator l, a neutrongenerator 2 and a high voltage generator 3, all being arranged on asupport 6 and rigidly connected together. The support 6 is displaceably,radially mounted on and is held by a supporting plate 9 which is mountedin a ball bearing 8 and is driven by means of a drive 10 and a pinion 11which engages in a toothed ring 12 provided at the outer periphery ofthe supporting plate 9.

A patient supporting treatment table 4 is held on a base 5 and isadjustable in a conventional manner, vertically as well as horizontally.The treatment table 4 is disposed below the collimator l which isrigidly connected with the support 6 via a connecting tube 15. Aradiation tube 16 is disposed within the connecting tube 15 and a target7 is disposed on the end of the radiation tube 16 which is opposite theneutron generator 2. On the target 7, for example a tritium target,deuterium ions which were accelerated within the neutron generator 2impinge and produce neutrons according to the nuclear reaction T (d,r Hewhose energy is substantially 14 million electron volts. The neutronradiation emanating from the target 7 disposed in a central cavity ofcollimator l is shielded due to the multilayer construction of thecollimator 1 except for a useful beam exiting from a conical aperture 20which is directed toward a patient or the like lying on the treatmenttable 4.

Different aperture inserts (not shown) of different sizes may beinserted into the aperture 20 to vary the radiation field.

In order to be able to unmount the target 7 which is disposed in theinterior of collimator l, for example for the purpose of exchange, thecollimator l is provided with an opening 19 which can be closed by meansof a shielding block 18.

The support 6 on which the high voltage generator 3, the neutrongenerator 2 and the collimator 1 are disposed is radially displaceableon the supporting plate 9 by means of a columnar guide arrangementconsisting of, for example, two parallel columns 14 which are fastened.to the supporting plate 9 and guide sleeves l3 fastened to the support6'. The support 6 can be displaced with respect to the supporting plate9 with the aid of a spindle 21 which engages in a threaded bushing 23associated with the support 6, a pinion 22 fastened to a shaft of thespindle 21 being driven by a drive (not shown). A high voltage cable 24leads from the high voltage generator 3 to the neutron generator 2, anda cover 26 is fastened to the inner ring of the ball bearing 8.

Since, according to the present invention, the ar rangement of the highvoltage generator 3, the neutron generator 2 and the collimator 1 is soselected that the collimator l is disposed on the one side of thesupporting plate 9 and the high voltage generator 3 as well as theneutron generator 2 are disposed on the other side of the supportingplate 9, tilting moments acting in the plane of the ball bearing 8 canbe readily compensated. For this purpose, it is only necessary todimension the axial length of the connecting tube 15, which is broughtthrough an opening 27 in the supporting plate 9, so that the momentresulting from the weight of the collimator 1 and its distance from thebearing plane of the supporting plate 9 is equal to the moment resultingfrom the weights of the neutron generator 2 and the high voltagegenerator 3 and their distances from the bearing plane of the supportingplate 9. An additional possibility for compensating moments is toprovide receptacles for counterweights 25, generally designated by thenumeral 25 in the support 6. With these counterweights 25 it would alsobe possible to realize and at least partial equalization of the momentsresulting from the individual weights about the axis of rotation of thesupporting plate 9.

The collimator 1, the neutron generator 2, the high voltage generator 3,and the treatment table 4, as well as the remaining parts of the neutronradiation treatment apparatus, are desirably housed within an enclosuredefined by a floor 28, a ceiling 29, and end wall 30 and a pair of sidewalls 31 and 32, side wall 32 being shown in FIG. 2. The enclosure maydesirably provide shielding and include a second end wall (notillustrated). As shown in FIG. 1, the base 5 is supported conventionallyby an upstanding portion of the floor 28.

Referring to FIG. 2, the collimator 1 is shown, in solid lines, directlyabove the treatment table 4 which is supported on the base 5. Atreatment beam, generally designated by the dashed lines 33, extendsfrom the collimator 1, towards the treatment table 4. The side walls 31and 32, the ceiling 29 and the floor 28 are shown.

The collimator 1, may be displaced along an arc of approximately eitherto the left or to the right so as to occupy any position along the totalarc of 210; the end positions of the collimator 1 being illustratedrespectively, in phantom, at the numerals 1 and 4".

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention the neutrontreatment apparatus is intended only for stationary field and pendulumradiation with an angle of rotation of approximately 210; it is,however, just as possible to design the radiation apparatus of thepresent invention for angles of rotation of n X 360. In this case thebase 5 of the treatment table 4 would merely have to be disposed outsideof the-range of the angle of rotation of the collimator 1, possibly bycantelevering the base 5 from the vertical wall 30 of the shieldingwalls (FIG. 1) and sufficient room would have to be made availableavailable the collimator 1 to rotate.

The possibility of radial displacement of the unit consisting of thehigh voltage generator 3, the neutron generator 2 and the collimator lat the supporting plate 9 makes possible adjustment of the distance ofthe radiation source (target 7) from a patient or the like even forrotational field radiation so that, for example, in spite of theaperture inserts for the collimator 1 being available commercially onlyin graduated sizes, the radiation field can be continuously adjusted atthe location of the radiation by changing the distance between thetarget 7 and the treatment table 4.

The current supply for the high voltage generator 3, in accordance withthe present invention, produces no difficulties contrary to the highvoltage input for the neutron generator 2, since a conventional low voltcable can be used which can be made to be relatively flexible. For anembodiment of the radiation apparatus for rotary field radiation, withangles of rotation of n X 360, :1 conventional slip ring arrangementcould be provided.

It will be understood that the above description of the presentinvention is susceptible to various modifications, changes andadaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within themeans and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a neutron radiation treatment apparatus composed of a high voltagegenerator, a neutron generator connected to be supplied by the highvoltage generator, and a collimator arranged to form rays from thegenerator into a beam, the improvement wherein said high voltagegenerator, said neutron generator and said collimator are rigidlyconnected together and said apparatus comprises a rotatably mountedsupporting plate said high voltage generator and said neutron generatorbeing fastened on the side of said supporting plate and said collimatorbeing fastened on the other side of said supporting plate, wherebystationary field, pendulum field and rotational field radiation may beeffected selectively.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising support meanswhich is radially displaceably mounted on said supporting plate and onwhich said generators are disposed.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said collimator isdisposed on said support means.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising columnar guidemeans holding said support means on said supporting plate.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 further comprising a threadedbushing on said support means and spindle means, mounted on saudsupporting plate and disposed parallel to said columnar guide means,said spindle means engaging said threaded bushing.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 further comprising drive meansfor driving said spindle means.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising counterweightmeans attached to said support means.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting plate isprovided with an opening and further comprising a connecting tubeextending through said opening and via which said collimator isconnected to said neutron generator, said tube having a length such asto prevent the occurrence of any tilting moment in the bearing plane ofsaid supporting plate due to the weights of said collimator andgenerators.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising toothed meansat the outer periphery of said supporting plate, and a pinion drivemeans engaging said toothed means for rotating said supporting plate.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim ll further comprising a treatmenttable arranged to be stationary and to support the treatment subjectduring treatment and disposed in the path of the beam from saidcollimator. l=

1. In a neutron radiation treatment apparatus composed of a high voltagegenerator, a neutron generator connected to be supplied by the highvoltage generator, and a collimator arranged to form rays from thegenerator into a beam, the improvement wherein said high voltagegenerator, said neutron generator and said collimator are rigidlyconnected together and said apparatus comprises a rotatably mountedsupporting plate said high voltage generator and said neutron generatorbeing fastened on the side of said supporting plate and said collimatorbeing fastened on the other side of said supporting plate, wherebystationary field, pendulum field anD rotational field radiation may beeffected selectively.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 furthercomprising support means which is radially displaceably mounted on saidsupporting plate and on which said generators are disposed.
 3. Theapparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said collimator is disposed onsaid support means.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 furthercomprising columnar guide means holding said support means on saidsupporting plate.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 furthercomprising a threaded bushing on said support means and spindle means,mounted on saud supporting plate and disposed parallel to said columnarguide means, said spindle means engaging said threaded bushing.
 6. Theapparatus as defined in claim 5 further comprising drive means fordriving said spindle means.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 2further comprising counterweight means attached to said support means.8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting plate isprovided with an opening and further comprising a connecting tubeextending through said opening and via which said collimator isconnected to said neutron generator, said tube having a length such asto prevent the occurrence of any tilting moment in the bearing plane ofsaid supporting plate due to the weights of said collimator andgenerators.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprisingtoothed means at the outer periphery of said supporting plate, and apinion drive means engaging said toothed means for rotating saidsupporting plate.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 furthercomprising a treatment table arranged to be stationary and to supportthe treatment subject during treatment and disposed in the path of thebeam from said collimator.